Portable electric ice auger

ABSTRACT

An ice auger transportable on a snowmobile, and utilizing the electrical system of the snowmobile for its power. The electric motor and drive train are supported by a pair of transparent, dielectric plates, which serve as a light weight, safety housing for the power train for the auger bit, and insures direct visual control of the bit when in use.

0 United States Patent [151 3,705,632 Burke Dec. 12, 1972 [s41 PORTABLE ELECTRIC ICE AUGER 3,032,126 5/1962 72 Inventor: Leo J. Burke, 8405 M59, Howell, g 8/1965 Mich. 48843 3,467, 43 9/1969 3,602,321 8/1971 Kortschaga ..l75/l8 [22] Filed: April 5, 1971 Primary ExaminerErnest R. Purser [21] Appl' L277 Attorney-Edward M. Apple [52] US. Cl. ..l73/27, 173/28, 175/18, [57] ABSTRACT [51] Int Cl An ice auger transportable on a snowmobile, and [58] Fieid utilizing the electrical system of the snowmobile for its 1 6 power. The electric motor and drive train are supported by a pair of transparent, di-electric plates, which serve as a light weight, safety housing for the [56] v References Cited power train for the auger bit, and insures direct visual UNITED STATES PATENTS control of the bit when in use. 2,975,848 3/1961 Roberts"? ..173/ 163 3 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PORTABLE ELECTRIC ICE AUGER SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION I The invention resides in 'the combination with a snowmobile having a storage battery, of a portable electric ice auger, the motor of which is driven by the storage battery of the snowmobile, the work train being insulated and housed by a pair of transparent di-electric members, which provide a high degree of visibility and safety, with means on the snowmobile to carry the device for transportation and storage.

This invention relates to ice fishing and has particular reference to a device for drilling holes in the ice preparatory to fishing.

An object of the invention is to provide an electrically driven power auger, which obtains its power from the electrical system of a snowmobile, or other'motive vehicle. a 1

Another object of the invention is to'provide a power driven ice auger, which is cleanand quiet in its operation and is not harmful to the ecology of the area in which it is used.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character indicated which is simple in construction, economical to manufacture, and efficient in operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character indicated which is constructed and arranged so that the operator observes, at all times, the work he is doing without the necessity of looking around the sides, or over the top of the device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character indicated which is safe to operate, in as much as its operation may be immediately stopped by the release of pressure on a safety switch.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character indicated, which may readily be transported and stored on a conventional snowmobile.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character indicated, which has a high factor of safety in as much as it may be operated without gasoline or other flamable liquids.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character indicated, which may be assembled from parts readily obtainable on the open market and without the necessity of using special tools and fixtures in the manufacture.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character indicated which is constructed and arranged with a pair of di-electric plates, which serve as the housing for the working parts and insulate the electric components of the device from the operator and other elements of the device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a power driven ice auger which can be used at all times in cold weather.

I am aware of the fact that others have devised ice augers, which are driven by independent gasoline engines, or by mechanical power take offs from motor vehicles and the like, but the devices now known to the public leave much to be desired, such as the difficulty in starting a small gasoline engine in cold weather, the necessity for carrying extra fuel, together with the noise and smoke factors which interfere with the fishing operation itself, and would otherwise damage the ecology.

It is therefore an object of this invention to obviate such difficulties andv to provide an electric power driven, ice auger which is light in weight, highly portable, quiet and safe in handling, and efficient in operation.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent as the description proceeds, reference being made from time to time to the accompanying drawing, forming part of the within disclosure, in which drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a snowmobile operator in the act of drilling a hole in the ice, with a device embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is an end view of the snowmobile taken substantially on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1, and illustrating the manner in which the device, embodying the invention, may be transported from place to place on the ice.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged top plan of the device embodying the invention.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the device shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. S-is a view, partly in section, taken substantially on the line 55 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a typical circuit used in operating the device embodying the invention.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, it will be understood that in the embodiment herein disclosed, the reference character 7 indicates, in general, a conventional snowmobile, which is supported on a body of ice 8, in which the operator 9 desires to drill an ice fishing hole with the device embodying the invention.

The device embodying the invention consists, in general, of a header 10 (FIG. 1), which is constructed of a pair of di-electric plates 11 and 12, made of transparent, plastic material, which will withstand cold weather'and the vibrations generated during the use of the device. The plates 11 and 12 are spaced from one another by tubular spacers 13, through which extend tie bolts 14 (FIG. 4), on which are received at both ends, the nuts 15 which hold the assembly together. The di-electric plates 11 and 12 not only serve as a housing for the power train of the device, but also as electric insulating means for certain of the electric elements and as safetymeans to prevent the operator from receiving electric shocks during the operation of the device.

The transparent plates 11 and 12 also permit the operator to see at all times how the device is operating.

Supported by any suitable means between the dielectric plates 11 and 12 is an electric motor 16, which is the motive power for the auger bit 17 (FIG. 1). The motor 16 in this embodiment is mounted, at one end on a support plate 18, which is pivoted at one end, as at 19, and is supported at the other end by the bolt 20, which is slidably adjustable in the slot (FIG. 3), so that tension may be developed in the belt 22, which is driven by a pulley 23, which is mounted for rotation with the drive shaft 24 of the motor 16. The belt 22 drives a comparatively large pulley 25, which is mounted on a jack shaft 26, which is mounted in suitable bearing members 27 and 28, which are supported by the plates 11 and 12. A smaller pulley 29 is mounted for rotation with the jack shaft 26 which drives a belt 30, which in turn drives another slightly larger pulley 31, which is keyed to drive the shaft 32, which in tur drives the auger bit 17, through a bit coupling 17A, which is preferably provided with a shear pin 33.

The power train just described increases the, torque and reduces the rpm of the motor 16 to a suitable speed for driving the auger bit 17. The motor 16 may be a conventional automobile starting motor, which is obtainable'in any automotive parts depot, orit may be an electric motor built to suitable specifications for driving the auger bit 17. In any event, it should be an electric motor which can be powered from the battery 34 of the snowmobile 7.

The battery 34 is arranged to motivate the motor 16 by means of the cable 35, which has terminals 36 and 37 (FIG. 3), which engage the terminal posts 38 and 39, which are carried, and insulated, by the top plate 1 1.

The terminal 38 connects to the positive side of the motor 16, and the terminal 39 connects, through the switch 42, to the ground or negative side of the motor (FIG. 6). The cable 35 may be provided with a plug 40, which is receivable in a socket 41 (FIG. 6), and is connected to a normally open,'spring biased, switch 42, which is mounted on one of the hand grips 43, by which the device is held by the operator during operation as shown in FIG. 1. The hand grips 43 may be made of metal, or any di-electric material. The hand grips 43 are preferably made of tubular stock and are flattened at each end and are held in position by the tie bolts 14 and'nuts 15. In order to actuate the auger bit 17 by means of the motor 16, it is necessary that the operator 9 exert constant pressure on the switch 42, to close the circuit through the motor 16. This is an important factor of the invention as it provides a highly desirable safety factor. That is, should the auger bit 17 jam, or

. the device get out of hand, and pressure is released from the switch 42, the motor 16 will immediately stop 4 when the spring biased switch 42 opens the circuit from the battery 34 to the motor 16.

In order to facilitate the transportation and storage of the device on the snowmobile 7, I providea plate 44,

at the rear of the snowmobile 7, which may be secured in position by bolts 45, or other suitable means. The plate 44 has a support member '46 and a pair of strap members 47 and 48, so that the header 10 may be secured to the plate 44 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In this position the assembly may be transported from place to place on the ice, or may be placed in storage with the snowmobile 7,,in which event the auger bit 17 would be removed from the header 10, by removing the pin 33.

Itis believed that the operation of the device is obvious from the foregoing description.

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination with a snowmobile having a storage battery, of a portable, electric ice auger, the motor of which is operable by said battery, said motor and the power train for said auger being supported, housed and insulated by a di-electric assembly, which includes a pair of spaced, transparent, plastic plates, which enable the operator to visibly supervise the operation of the device at all times, and means on said snowmobile adapted to support said device during trans ortation and stora e.

2. he structure of c arm 1, m WhlCi'l the batterymotor circuit includes an extension cable, which is provided with male and female couplings, one of which is a permanent fixture on said snowmobile.

3. The structure of claim 1, in which the said assembly is provided with a pair of hand grips, one of which is di-electric and supports a spring biased, normally open, switch arranged for closing said batterymotor circuit. 

1. The combination with a snowmobile having a storage battery, of a portable, electric ice auger, the motor of which is operable by said battery, said motor and the power train for said auger being supported, housed and insulated by a di-electric assembly, which includes a pair of spaced, transparent, plastic plates, which enable the operator to visibly supervise the operation of the device at all times, and means on said snowmobile adapted to support said device during transportation and storage.
 2. The structure of claim 1, in which the battery-motor circuit includes an extension cable, which is provided with male and female couplings, one of which is a permanent fixture on said snowmobile.
 3. The structure of claim 1, in which the said assembly is provided with a pair of hand grips, one of which is di-electric and supports a spring biased, normally open, switch arranged for closing said battery-motor circuit. 